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Dogs 101 BLOOD HOUND Top Dog Facts About the BLOOD HOUND

The Bloodhound is a breed of large scent hounds, considered the very best in the canine world when it comes to the strength of sense of smell. Its ancestors have been used for centuries for tracking large animals for hunting, as well as for tracking people. It is a breed of European origin, but it is difficult to pinpoint an exact development history because a variety of hound bloodlines are likely to have mixed over hundreds of years to produce the modern Bloodhound.

Import of Bloodhounds to the US had begun by the mid1800s, and there are reports of them being used during the US Civil War to track fugitives. There are two schools of opinion on how the breed gets its name. Some experts believe that it means that the dog is ‘a hound of pure blood’. The other theory is that it is a reference to the dog being used to track a wounded animal using the animal’s blood.

The height of a male adult is generally between 25 and 27 inches, and weight between 90 and 110 pounds. The female adult’s height would be between 23 and 25 inches, and weight between 80 and 100 pounds. The most distinguishing features are its drooping ears, folds of skin on the muzzle and warm, deepset eyes. The bone structure is heavier than that of other dogs this size. The coat color is black and tan; liver and tan; or red.

Grooming: The Bloodhound’s coat is built for going through dense foliage while on a trail without getting too dirty. Using a hound glove to brush once or twice a week should be sufficient. The long ears and the skin folds need to be cleaned regularly. The dog tends to drool a lot, and cleaning around the jaw is important. Trimming of nails and brushing of teeth on a regular basis are part of the grooming regimen.

Temperament: Contrary to its image and portrayal, the Bloodhound is a very gentle animal. This makes it unsuitable for use as a guard dog. It is very affectionate with humans, and trustworthy with kids. It tends to not be aware of its size and strength, so presence around very young children should be monitored. It can get along well with other animals too, with some training.

Training: The Bloodhound is an intelligent animal, but needs patience to train because of its stubborn nature. Obedience training can be difficult if not started in the first few months. Training for tracking, on the other hand, is very easy. It needs a lot of exercise, and small living spaces are not suited for the breed.

Health: The lifespan of most Bloodhounds is between 7 and 10 years, one of the shortest among all dogs. Bloat and cancer are the two most common causes of death. Eye, skin and ear ailments are quite common, but can be prevented with regular care.

The master sleuth of the canine world, the Bloodhound is a tender, trustworthy dog, easy to take care of. You just need to be the undisputed boss in your relationship with the dog, and you will be rewarded with a hard working and loving member in your family.

Facts:
• The Bloodhound was the first animal to have its evidence admissible in a US court of law.
• Bloodhounds are some of the most commonly seen dogs in movies, including Cool Hand Luke; The Shawshank Redemption; Cinderella; O Brother, Where Art Thou?; and Alice in Wonderland among many others.
• Walt Disney’s Pluto is designed after a pair of Bloodhounds from an early Mickey Mouse film.
• The scary hound in the Sherlock Holmes novel The Hound of the Baskervilles is a cross between a Bloodhound and a Mastiff.


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